David Cameron and Boris Johnson: Six months on, we won’t let the Olympic Games legacy die

As we trudged through the snow on a cold, dark January morning, last summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games may have felt a bit of a distant memory in recent weeks.

But six months on from that unforgettable opening ceremony, we are both as committed as ever to making the most of the Games. And together with Seb Coe, we are determined to generate a momentum that will ensure the greatest Games ever deliver a legacy that lasts a lifetime.

At the heart of this legacy is the jobs and growth we need in Britain to compete globally. One of the great advantages of the Games is that they have enhanced Britain’s ability to sell to the world. In the past few days we have both been out to Davos helping British businesses to make the most of this — including meeting the Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, whose country will host the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year, where Britain has already won 60 contracts and could yet win even more.

But the most important thing in delivering a successful legacy is to learn the lessons of the past. Too often successful Games have not been followed by the decisive action needed to secure an enduring legacy. We will not make those same mistakes.

So whereas in previous Games, businesses which supplied goods and services have not been allowed to talk publicly about their involvement, we have worked hard — together with the British Olympic Association — to persuade the International Olympic Committee to create a new scheme that will enable businesses to promote their part in the success of the Games. As a result, tens of thousands of British businesses that did such fantastic work will now at long last get the benefits of the public recognition they deserve — helping us towards our goal of achieving £13 billion of benefits for British business as a result of the Games.

In previous Games, host nations have been slow to develop and re-open their stadium and park. Not so in Britain. The future of seven of our fantastic venues is secure. The long-term use of the stadium itself, the eighth venue, will be decided shortly. We are re-opening the Copper Box, the Stadium and the North Park to the public this summer, with a major programme of concerts and world-class sport, including the Ride London festival of cycling and, on the first anniversary of the Olympics, the Diamond League athletics meeting, featuring many of our 2012 heroes. It is an achievement unmatched by any previous host city in Olympic history. And with the rest of the site open next year, the newly renamed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to attract a million visitors a year by 2016, with all the economic benefits that increased tourism will bring.

It doesn’t and shouldn’t end there. Whereas some countries may have fallen short when it comes to the regeneration of the local area, the story in east London is already very different. Eight thousand new permanent jobs by 2030, with a further 2,500 temporary construction jobs along the way. A new drive on apprenticeships and training for local people. Eight thousand new homes, in addition to nearly 3,000 homes in the athletes village. Families moving this year into the five new neighbourhoods, with three schools, nine nurseries, three health centres and 29 playgrounds all on the way. And businesses already thriving in the area, including the £1.5 billion Westfield shopping centre which has already seen 48 million visitors.

But our determination to learn the lessons of the past isn’t restricted to securing an economic legacy. It’s vital in securing a sporting, volunteering and Paralympics legacy too.

In some previous Olympics, host nations have invested in sport at the time but not managed to sustain that success into the future. In Britain our elite sport funding will help to ensure that our athletes are ready to succeed in Rio 2016 and in every Games beyond that. Our £1 billion investment in grass roots sport and the upgrading of facilities in more than 1,000 local sports clubs will transform the opportunities for people to play sport right across the country. In addition the Government will shortly be announcing details of the next phase of our schools sports programme. Contrary to what some critics have claimed, this legacy hasn’t stalled. The stars of tomorrow are the wide-eyed kids of today, we recognise that, and the Government will deliver on that promise.

In some host nations, the spirit of volunteering faded just as soon as the Olympic flame was extinguished. But in Britain we are determined to capture the unforgettable spirit and commitment of the Games Makers who travelled from far and wide to put a smile on the face of the nation. Through the great work of organisations like Join In, thousands of people are now volunteering to get involved in their local sports clubs, with an exciting programme of further events for the summer announced last Friday. In the capital, Team London is supporting a revolution in volunteering, harnessing the spirit of the Games and helping to build a great volunteering legacy for our country.